After months of studying the NFL draft, we'll finish our list of "10 perfect Patriots," narrowing down the list of prospects to a select group that we feel would be ideal (and realistic) for the New England Patriots, while adding a few draft-related thoughts:
Player: Jace Amaro
School: Texas Tech
Position: TE
Listed height/weight: 6-foot-5 3/8, 265 pounds
Scouts Inc. position rank: 3rd (scouting profile)
Draft projection: Second round
Why he's on our list: Two years ago, the Patriots had their tight end position solidified but now it is filled with questions. Amaro is probably better defined as a big receiver than a pure tight end, but he'd help address one of the team's top needs and bring an added dynamic to the offense. Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury, a 2003 sixth-round draft choice of the Patriots, could provide valuable intelligence to the club on Amaro, who is competitive and views the game of football as important to him, but also ran into some on- and off-field trouble in college.
A feel for the tight end class: Not a lot of options at the position. We also have Iowa tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz on the "perfect Patriots" list, assuming he has the aptitude to handle the Patriots' complex scheme. Amaro is more of a "move" tight end.
Recommended link: Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal writes on how Amaro plans to attend the San Antonio Spurs' playoff game on the first night of the draft. "I think that’d be kind of neat, watching the game and watching the draft at the same time," Amaro said.
Key stat: Totaled 106 catches for 1,352 yards last season.
Workout stat: Timed 4.74 in the 40-yard dash while also totaling 28 repetitions on the bench press.
Draft strategy: Amaro figures to fall somewhere between the Patriots' top pick at 29 and the team's second selection at 62. He'd be a player we'll keep on the radar in the event the Patriots trade out of the first round into the top to middle part of the second round.
Perfect Patriots series:
4. Washington State safety Deone Bucannon
7. Florida State RB Devonta Freeman
8. Boise State DE/OLB Demarcus Lawrence
9. Notre Dame DE Stephon Tuitt
Bonus pick: Rutgers WR Brandon Coleman